We all have dreams and sometimes those dreams have become dormant until a leader comes along to help awaken them. In the right moment and the right time, they remind us of what we once only imagined, how now become a possibility.
Who are some of the leaders in your life? How do they continue to move and motivate you with their messages? Do they speak hope and faith? Do they dare you to dream of the endless possibilities? Do they demonstrate that the voice of a leader is powerful both heard and unheard, when spoken and when not?
Even in the silence, the voice of a leader can exemplify the power and authority one has. More importantly, it also demonstrates their control.
Leaders are often challenged on their ability to lead. Many may see a leader as unfit or trivialize their authority, not because they see the leader as weak, but simply because they are underestimated. But a true and wise leader knows that in a crowded space, they need not be the loudest and boastful in the room. A skilled leader, one of wisdom will watch and listen in silence, observing one’s surroundings to best understand the motives, motivations, and plans of others.
A wise leader studies carefully and skillfully arises at the precise moment choosing the right word at the right time to make the most significant impact. Wise leaders use their voice when necessary rather than appearing to be a clanging bell or clamoring cymbal.
In today’s world, we have come to believe that the loudest person in the room is the one worth following. I would challenge:
As we listen to the loudest person, the one who always has something to say, ask, “what exactly are they saying?”
As the voice is loud and drawing others in, ask, “what exactly is the message?” Then continue to ask more questions to see beyond the noise. Then look around, find the ones who are less enthralled and ask why the voice has not encapsulated them. Perhaps the leader among the group is not among the many followers, but the one heading off in a different direction.
